Update news for 2011-05-31

Spotlight features

Geoscanning folders and changes

This patch brings a few changes to the geoscanning mechanics and introduces geoscan result folders. So far when you performed a geoscan, you always got a result item in your cargo that you couldn't check before uploading it to your map, and most of the time you just trashed it after this since it had no real use anymore.

Now when you do an area or tile-based scan, the result will be immediately visible on the scanner window, so you can decide whether you want to keep it (upload it to your folders), or just simply ignore it and do another scan. No item is created anymore, it all happens between the scanner window and your result folders and the map.

Uploaded geoscan results are now organized into folders, primarily by islands and secondarily by mineral type. These are just the default folders, and you can also move results over to your own uniquely named folders.
There you can also create good old items from your results (right-click on result, Create result item), in case you want to give it to fellow Agents. (This option is only available in terminals, since it needs a storage to put the item into.)

Long range demobilizers

Long range demobilizer modules are pretty much what the name suggests: lower speed modification potential than normal short range demobilizers, but they have a higher optimal range. Don't be deceived by their low Top speed modification values, they can be of course considerably modified by extensions and bonuses. For easier distinction of the modules, the new long ranged ones are called L-demobilizers, and the old ones have been renamed to S-demobilizers. Naturally, like all new technology, these modules are available via kernel research.

Gameplay

Fix: Robots were sometimes stuck after using a teleport.

Fix: Squad forming and inviting had issues when the invitees were in a different zone than the leader. This affected NEXUS effect distribution and member range displays too (among other problems).

Change: It is now possible to send NIC to trial characters. (We reserve the right to limit it again if we see any issues.)

Change: Interference emitters are now ranged modules: you need to lock a ground tile, and activating the module will deploy the emitter to that tile. To this end the module has an optimal range now, which can be increased with the proper extensions.

Fix: The description of demobilizers incorrectly stated that you can only equip one per robot.

Fix: Mk2 robot CTs were not visible in remote storage listings.

Graphics

Change: Due to popular demand the square-based geoscanning result display has returned, in a slightly newer iteration.

Fix: Flawed and Niani modules has no visible beam effects.

Extensions

Fix: The Basic and advanced geology extensions have been also incorrectly affecting the radius of area-based scans, and not just tile-based ones.

Fix: The bonus of the NEXUS - Long range targeting extension was applied twice for the Farlock NEXUS module.

Fix: Plant-specific extensive harvesting extensions had no effect.

Industry

Fix: Rank II reverse engineering facilities had no improvement over Rank I ones.

Change: The material ratio on the top of the Refinery window will now display the actual material efficiency instead of an arbitrary value. 100% material ratio means that you need the default number of raw materials for refining (0 delta), which equals the amounts listed in the commodities' components tab. Material ratios lower than 100% mean that you need more raw materials for refining a specific amount of commodities (positive delta), and ratios higher than 100% mean you need less (negative delta).

Change: The discount ratio in the Repair shop Reapir shop, will now also display the actual discount value.

Corporations

New: Added new player-contributed corporation logo symbols. If you want to make your own, check out this forum topic!

Change: Corporation members with the delegate role will now able to see corporation relations.

Fix: Closed corporations will now be automatically removed from the recruitment database.